We like to get recommendations for fun destinations abroad. Sometimes for a vacation, sometimes for an urban weekend, sometimes with culinary highlights, and almost always with recommendations for shopping. But summer is the time for family vacations, the ones we go to with the kids. This is not always a real vacation. Those who, for example, fly with small children can not expect rest, and yet this is an opportunity to enrich the family album not only with beautiful photos, but also experiences that will accompany us for a lifetime.
In La Italia
Gulliver Group CEO Ziv Rosen, married and father of four children aged 18, 14, 10 and 6.
Abroad routine: “Vacations and experiences in Israel and around the world are part of our daily routine. Precisely in such an intense age, we use our vacations mainly for family formation. We always come back from vacations as a more cohesive family that knows a little (actually a lot) more about everyone. The experience and the connection between the children is strengthened, and as a parent it is a great feeling. “
Pampering family vacation: “As a family we usually choose a European country, and try to travel there in two cars for at least two weeks combining attractions, experiences and a changing route. We have traveled so many times, and each time it is a success story. We try to choose our accommodations in nature. We will be as isolated as possible and experience nature and the landscape in full force. Water sports, water parks, ropes parks, mountain slides, spas, hiking, zoos and some of the largest playgrounds in the world.
The descent on the way south towards Tuscany while passing by wineries, vines, towers and medieval towns, the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and of course the city is inspiring and one of the most beautiful and rich in the world – Florence. Even staying on a forest farm that includes a unique ecological pool, surrounded by stunning nature in central Tuscany, was definitely an extraordinary and wild experience. We rummaged in Rome for the wealth of history, museums and of course the fine Italian food. In short, this is one of the most significant, deep and enriching trips we have made. “
Price: “Today, a similar vacation will cost about NIS 40,000 for two people for two weeks, including everything.”
This summer: “Fly to Austria. An idea similar to Italy, only this time in a more northern region.”
Belly-back in Batumi
VP of Marketing and Sales at Torres’ wife Shirley Cohen-Urakbi, married and mother of three daughters aged 14, 12 and 9.
Abroad routine: “Usually we go on a family vacation twice a year, on the big holiday or on holidays and the Passover holiday, and sometimes make another short outing in the middle. We like two types of vacations: a city break in Europe (the preferred family destination is London, mainly because of Amichai’s husband, London is like his second home) and a back-to-back vacation in hotels with sea, pool, water parks, good food and rest. “
Pampering family vacation: “Stayed at the five-star Paragraph Resort & Spa in the resort town of Shekvetili, a 40-minute drive from Batumi, Georgia. It was a completely spontaneous decision. A giant that surrounds the entire dining room. I saw that there were exactly four seats left on the flight. My husband had to fly that weekend for a business flight, so I decided to take the three girls and fly for a long and pampering weekend, and it was. We enjoyed a hotel with great food, large and luxurious rooms. “A pampering spa, water slides for children and a huge botanical garden. All this is a short distance from Batumi, where you can enjoy all the attractions the city has to offer: a dolphin show, cable car and more.”
Price: “A couple + 2 will pay for four nights at a hotel in August, including flights, $ 1,099 per person.”
This summer: “We plan to fly to Umbria, Italy with the whole family.”
Shirley Cohen Urakbi and her daughters on a trip to Batumi (Photo: Private)Cruise in the Baltic Sea
Travel CEO – Geographic Quality Tours Guy Raveh, married and father of three children aged 16, 13 and 9.
Overseas routine: “Every summer (until before the Corona) we used to go on a joint family trip to various destinations in Europe with my parents and my sister’s family.”
Pampering family vacation: “Last summer before the Corona we celebrated 70 years for my dad. We chose to mark the event on a cruise in the Baltic Sea on a luxury cruise ship MSC. The ship was a perfect choice for adults and children alike, included water slides, ropes park, basketball court, Jacuzzi , Indoor and outdoor pool, invested performances every evening and more. Culinarily the offer was endless and included different and varied kitchens. His favorite food is a wide range of flavors. As part of the cruise we traveled to Copenhagen, Tallinn (where we also cycled), St. Petersburg, Helsinki and Germany. We traveled with 12 people and slept in three different rooms. Children under 12 were hosted for free ) “.
Price: “Currently the cost of a similar trip, including flights, is estimated at around 2,500 euros per person for eight days.”
This summer: “This year we have not yet decided where to fly, as work is back in full swing, so I can not afford to be absent for a week from the office. We may travel to Sinai for a long weekend, emphasizing an authentic sense experience to experience Sinai in full exclusion.”
Greece before the Corona
Deputy CEO of Ayala Travel, Sarit Sharvit, married and mother of two children aged 26 and 23.
Overseas routine: “I have been in the tourism industry for 32 years. Throughout the years of my professional career I used to fly abroad about four times a year on average. One business trip, a trip with my partner for a short weekend and twice a year a trip with the extended family. , University and the like). Our favorite destinations are capital cities (New York, London, Rome, Barcelona) and once a year a holiday destination, such as Crete in Greece, Thailand and also the USA.
Pampering family vacation: “Was in Greece in August 2019 before the Corona came into our lives. The destination was the island of Karpathos. It is a magical island, a piece of paradise 1.15 hours flight from Israel, reminiscent of its spectacular landscapes and stunning bays of Sinai. My husband and I traveled with another family .
This destination is remembered to me as a crazy experience for several reasons. It was the last destination we flew to for a family vacation before the Corona, and since then the experiences around it have only intensified in light of the longing for freedom. Also, the trip was spontaneous with no advance planning, right at the last minute.
“This is a Greek island that has maintained its authenticity and is not commercialized. It has maintained its pristine character with beaches and bays spectacular in beauty. The locals are welcoming, simple people with no paperwork, and the restaurants are insane with extremely delicious local cuisine. Our expectations were not crazy, but the experience It was breathtaking to us at Alimounda Mare – a luxurious five star hotel, in a super central location, with a spectacular and mesmerizing infinity pool, breathtaking views and amazing service.
“An amazing attraction that I especially remember on this trip is the village of Olympus. It is a picturesque, colorful and spectacular rural town – an isolated village from the island that only recently paved an access road to it. “Pink and more. The place is full of stalls, souvenir shops, and local home-cooked food. The residents are still dressed in their traditional costume, and it was just a feeling of time travel and a crazy experience.”
Price: “A similar summer vacation in July will cost 600-900 euros per person for a midweek, four nights; or 500-700 euros for a weekend, three nights.”
This summer: “This year my family vacation destinations are the resort town of Protaras in Cyprus and New York.”
Sarit Sharvit and her family in Karpathos (Photo: Private)Switzerland in Slovakia
Deputy Chairman of Ophir Tours Yoni Waxman, married and father of three children aged 19, 17 and 13.
Overseas routine: “We fly abroad about twice a year. The family’s favorite destinations are short destinations in Europe and once every few years a great trip to a distant destination. France, Bulgaria and northern Italy. “
Yoni Waxman and his wife on a trip to Slovakia (Photo: Private)Pampering family vacation: “One of the best vacations we had was in 2015 to the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia. We traveled the whole family, slept at the Demanova Resort, located in a charming area surrounded by mountains with a water park and activities for the whole family. “The Slovaks call the Tatra Mountains Switzerland at an affordable price, and not just. These are spectacular views at cheap prices, as Israelis like. Shopping lovers also have a shopping center close to Bratislava with all the most reputable brands. You can also travel to Vienna to the Parndorf shopping center.”
Price: “Today for a family in our composition, of five people, the price for a flight + hotel + car is from 845 euros per person for seven nights in a room of five people.”
This summer: “This summer we will fly to Bansko, Bulgaria. The destination is considered a winter ski destination, but in the summer you can stay in five-star hotels, such as the Kempinski Hotel. In terms of attractions, there are bicycle tours, wine tours, horseback riding and more.”